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Trump's nuclear tweet sparks questions and fear

Friday, December 23, 2016 - 01:19

Donald Trump takes to Twitter saying the U.S. needs to up its nuclear capabilities, on the same day that Russia's Vladimir Putin hints at the same for his country. That's got some analysts worried that we could be witnessing the early stages of an arms race. Graham Mackay reports.

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A Donald Trump tweet - raising alarm bells on Thursday (December 22), as the US president-elect called for greatly expanding and strengthening America's nuclear arsenal.
A red-flag for anti-nuclear groups - who call it a sure-fire way to stir up global tensions.
It's not clear exactly why Trump tweeted the message, but earlier in the day, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that his country need to "strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces.
Meanwhile, the Obama administration is taking the chance to highlight its stance on the matter.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JOHN KIRBY, SAYING:
"What I can speak to is the approach that this administration has taken to trying to get us on on a path to a world without nuclear weapons.
First, by reducing our stockpile, and our launchers through New Start. Number two, diminishing the role of nuclear weapons in our security strategy, and number three, securing the Iran deal"
Analysts point out that if Trump and Putin both want to expand their nuclear weapons, it would effectively end arms control efforts that have been in place since the Nixon administration.
One warning quote "this is how arms races begin - with a battle of words."

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